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Checkmat Headquarters Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
4.9 ★★★★★ 105 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Signal Hill, California
Part of Checkmat
Affiliated academy — reviews and the gym's own info point to a recognized BJJ lineage or affiliation (think Gracie Barra, 10th Planet, Renzo Gracie, Alliance, Atos or Checkmat). If lineage matters to you, ask which affiliation the academy belongs to and under whom the head instructor earned their black belt.
Convivial training center featuring Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instruction for adults & children.
Plan your first class
- Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- Kids & youth classes kids and youth BJJ classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule checkmatjiujitsusignalhill.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (714) 362-5537
Hours
| Monday | 10 AM–12:15 PM, 4:45–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 10 AM–12:15 PM, 4:45–7:15 PM |
| Wednesday | 10 AM–12:15 PM, 4:45–8 PM |
| Thursday | 10 AM–12:15 PM, 4:45–7:15 PM |
| Friday | 10 AM–12:15 PM, 4:45–7:15 PM |
| Saturday | 10:30 AM–12 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“It’s been a great environment for myself and my sons.”
“Professors Leo and Jaime are some of the friendliest people in the jiu jitsu scene Drop in on a Friday for the open mat to get the full experience!”
“Whether you’re a beginner or more advanced, this is a great place to train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“That’s a huge and amazing Jiu jitsu gym with the best professor that have on my life.”
“The instructors are not only super knowledgeable but also incredibly welcoming and supportive.”
“Fantastic facility, great atmosphere, super friendly owners and staff and all the people training there could not have been more friendly.”
“Prof Leo and the Checkmat Team made for a memorable experience 🙏🏼✨Thank you”
“The facility is always clean, the mats are well maintained, and the atmosphere is just awesome — positive, respectful, and motivating.”
From the reviews
Best Jiu-Jitsu place for my son and I. Every kids class they have 5 coaches (3 black belts and 2 colored belts) taking care of the class. No other school we’ve been before has it!!! They have always been super supportive and helpful, playing and teaching the kids.
Best decision I’ve ever made! Joining this BJJ gym has been an absolute game changer for me. From the very first day, I felt welcomed, supported, and inspired. The coaches are world-class — incredibly skilled, patient, and genuinely passionate about teaching.
This is what my Daughter calls Home she absolutely adores this place from the moment she was introduced to this dojo by coach Aghata it felt HOME ❤️ One word for this place is just "AMAZING" all the Coache's at Checkmat are just wonderful Professor Leo & Gle Viera are one of the most humble persons I have ever met I'm…
Great place! If you live anywhere near this place, I would start training here. World champions, and legends all over the place stopping by this gym. Impossible to get more talent under one roof. If you live within 30 minutes of this place and Train anywhere else, you are totally nuts. Go here!
New to BJJ? Start at Checkmat Headquarters Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Checkmat Headquarters Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu comes up as a beginner-friendly gym, going by their listing and members’ reviews. If you've never rolled or set foot on a mat, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard rolling — reputable gyms build fundamentals (positions, escapes, and basic submissions) for weeks, live rolling eases in gradually, and tapping early keeps every roll safe. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out, and leave your ego at the door. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first BJJ class at Checkmat Headquarters Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Nervous about walking into a BJJ gym for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good coaches expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic positions and escapes with a partner — not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — many gyms lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gi (or a rashguard and shorts for no-gi) and a mouthguard. Live rolling eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the coach. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
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🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
